A journalistically coloured European Parliament

On 4th March, MEP Zofija Mazej Kukovič (EPP/SDS) addressed Slovenian journalists participating at a three day seminar in Brussels. What they wanted to hear the most was how she perceives her mandate and her work as an MEP.

?We MEPs are fortunate enough to have the possibility to put ourselves in the shoes of the citizens and pass policies that serve and influence the everyday life of all of us. Here in the European Parliament we adopt legislation on the basis of compromise. Back home, not enough people know about how European politics work. I think this can be a challenge for all of you who perform the duty of informing the public.?

MEP Zofija Mazej Kukovič began her mandate in 2012. She is a member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, member of the Delegation for relations with India and a substitute member on the Committee for Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the Delegation for relations with South Africa.

One of the journalists at the meeting wanted to know what in her opinion is currently the biggest challenge facing Slovenia.

?Without a doubt, the biggest challenge we face is unemployment, especially youth unemployment and the lack of economic growth. We must face reality and admit that things are not going well. In addition, our debt load is increasing by the day. However, we can each be part of the solution. It is precisely for this reason that back home, my Kickstart Europe team and I organised a competition entitled Food for Health and Jobs. Food represents a way out of this crisis. In Slovenia there are currently 26.300 hectares of overgrown farmland, while at the same time we import one billion euros worth of food each year. Food that we could grow ourselves. At the same time we have more the 30.000 unemployed youth. Entrepreneurship or self-employment can be an opportunity for everyone. It is true that owning a business is difficult, but so is freedom. All you need is perseverance. Unfortunately in Slovenia we lag behind other European countries, which is why I believe self-employment can be our way out of the crisis.? Mazej Kukovič concluded.